Josh Peterson

The deadline to apply to be part of the Tennessee Highway Patrol Caden Class 1021 is 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 2.

The trooper cadet class starts June 27. During the 16-week academy, the training division will challenge and prepare you for the real-life scenarios you will experience as a trooper.

Depending on the amount of interest shown during the application process, a lateral class will be offered at the same time. Applicants who are currently employed in a full-time law enforcement position and Tennessee POST certified could qualify for a potential lateral class. This is dependent on the number of eligible applicants but would allow for a 10-week academy with graduation the first week of September 2021.

THP is a multi-faceted, full-service, statewide law enforcement agency with numerous divisions. Daily services performed by a Tennessee state trooper include: Assisting the public, enforcement of criminal and traffic laws, traffic enforcement, motorcycle traffic patrol, crash investigation, crash reconstruction, criminal interdiction, criminal investigations, identity crimes investigations, special operations and tactical duties, K-9 handling, diving, aviation, executive protective services, bomb squad, and much more.

Men and women interested in a career as a Tennessee state trooper must apply online, at https://www.tn.gov/careers/apply-here.html. Individuals interested in applying must be at least 21-years-old, a U.S. citizen and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

The training that you receive from the training curriculum is transferable as college credit hours. We provide the opportunity to attend numerous law enforcement training classes to obtain specialty skills such as crash reconstruction, drug recognition expert (DRE), instructor development and more. The THP is a national leader in law enforcement and is internationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). Additionally, our training is Peace Officer Standards Training Commission (POST).

Once approved by the Department of Human Resources, applicants will be notified of their qualification status via email and are required to complete a survey within five days of the date of application. THP anticipates the agility and interview appointments to begin February 22 through 26. If approved to interview, applicants will be notified of their appointment location based on the Tennessee Highway Patrol headquarters located closest to the applicant’s residency.

“I am excited about the opportunity our troopers have to serve the citizens of Tennessee,” said Colonel Matt Perry.” The role of a trooper is critical to the safety and security of our state. I am proud of the training, technology and tools troopers will receive during cadet school. We train and prepare our troopers to do their job professionally and ethically. We want the best men and women to join our ranks and promote the mission of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.”

Legislation implemented in October 2012, called the Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management Act (TEAM Act) revised the hiring method to incorporate an interview process that tests an applicant’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies. As a result, there is no longer an examination portion to qualify for the state trooper position.

If hired, individuals must obtain a valid Tennessee driver license prior to the class graduation date. Candidates are required to successfully complete a level II background investigation which includes a credit check and polygraph test. Recruits must pass a psychological and medical examination including a drug screening.

There are currently 639 authorized commissioned trooper positions within the THP. Please be aware the majority of the vacant positions at this time are within the Middle and West Tennessee areas. Upon graduation, trooper cadets will be assigned to vacant positions across the state. The starting salary for a trooper cadet while in school is currently $3,153 per month, with an increase to $3,488 per month after graduation. This equates to $41,856 annually with an annual 4.5% statutory step raise for the first 10 years. With regular pay increases, a state trooper can earn $62,208 per year after 10 years of service under the current pay structure. Pay may also increase if you are promoted within the THP.

The position also includes a retirement plan, 401k, 457, health insurance, overtime pay and paid holidays. Troopers are also provided with winter and summer uniforms, equipment, weapons, as well as a patrol vehicle.
For additional information on becoming a state trooper, visithttp://www.tn.gov/safety/article/trpqualifications. Please complete our contact survey to be included in notifications at www.JoinTHP.org. For more information about applications, please contact the Tennessee Department of Human Resources Applicant Services Division at (615) 741-4841.

No applicants with felony convictions will be considered. Additional disqualifications include convicted for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or similar offense; usage of any of the following drugs: Cocaine, Heroin (Opioids), Inhalants (age 21 or older at the time of use), LSD, MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly), Methamphetamine, Mushrooms or PCP; usage of the following drugs within the last two (2) years: Anabolic Steroids (Performance Enhancing); Marijuana; Peyote; or Prescription Drugs (illegal use)

Tennessee gas prices rose four cents, on average, over last week, marking the fourth straight week of increases at the pump. The Tennessee Gas Price average is now $2.23 which is 19 cents more than one month ago and a penny less than one year ago.

Prices in Coffee County are higher than the state average by 3 cents, at $2.26 per gallon. The national gas price average is $2.42.

Tennessee drivers found the lowest gas prices for the month of January since 2019. The monthly average for January was $2.15 per gallon, the most expensive month at the pump since February 2020. Last month’s state average was 19 cents less than January 2020 and 15 cents more than what drivers paid in January 2019.

“Prices at the pump continue to increase due to sustained crude oil prices – despite a drop in demand and refinery utilization ,” said Megan Cooper, spokesperson, AAA – The Auto Club Group. “Prices could continue to increase over this week if crude oil pricing remains steady, however, pump price gains could be limited due to concern over new coronavirus infections and associated travel restrictions.”

Quick Facts

· 52% of Tennessee gas stations have prices below $2.25
· The lowest 10% of pump prices are $2.04 for regular unleaded
· The highest 10% of pump prices are $2.46 for regular unleaded
· Tennessee remains the 10th least expensive market in the nation
· Tennessee ranks 9th in the nation’s largest weekly increases

Programming changes are coming to Thunder Radio WMSR beginning this week.

The station is announcing a brand new afternoon live and local drivetime show – the “After Class Music Blast” hosted by Michael T Hansen.

The show will air from 3-5 p.m with Hansen hosting the drive home. Music requests are welcome.

“We want to continue to set Thunder Radio apart from corporate radio by being live and local as often as possible, and providing engaging and entertaining content,” said Josh Peterson, Thunder Radio co-owner. “Our live and local morning show is our most popular show and we want to carry some of that fun to the afternoon drive for folks coming home from school and work. Michael T is a fun DJ who will engage our awesome listeners with games, requests and fun, classic and southern-rock music.” 

The After Class Music Blast is presented on Thunder Radio by AbilisHealth Homecare. 

Hansen formerly hosted “The Community Jukebox” from 10-12 a.m. Monday through Friday. That slot will now be filled by the syndicated Rick & Bubba Show.

Dave Ramsey will now be one hour shorter, airing from 1-3 p.m. and Hansen’s show will air from 3-5 with music continuing until 6 p.m., when Thunder Radio often switches to local sports broadcasts, Nashville Predators Hockey or Atlanta Braves Baseball.

You can listen to Thunder Radio at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go smartphone app or thunder1320.com. 

See the Thunder Radio on-air schedule here. 

Area school systems are in line to receive a large chunk of funds from the US Department of Education for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund disbursement. This was set aside as part of the CARES act.

Coffee County Schools are in line to receive 3,727,222. Meanwhile, Manchester City Schools are set to receive 1,347,321 and Tullahoma Schools 3,151,299.

Funding is designed to address learning loss and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tennessee Department of Health is expanding access to COVID-19 vaccination with a particular focus on rural and underserved areas. TDH is partnering with pharmacies and community health clinics to add more than 100 new vaccination sites across the state. Tennessee’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan remains focused on equity to ensure those with limited access to health care resources will be able to receive vaccinations when they meet eligibility criteria outlined in the plan. Find lists of these new locations at http://bit.ly/3oq6bMT.

There are no new vaccine locations listed in Coffee County. However, neighboring Warren County has four new locations: Genoa Healthcare, Graves Family Pharmacy, Stacy’s Wellness Pharmacy and Walmart.

“We’re eager to launch these partnerships to help bring the vital resource of COVID-19 vaccines to Tennesseans in communities most vulnerable to serious and lasting social and economic challenges due to the pandemic,” said Tennessee Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP.

“These pharmacies and clinics are easily accessible to Tennesseans who have barriers to receiving health care, like lack of transportation or health insurance,” Piercey continued. “We’re bringing COVID-19 vaccines to familiar and convenient locations for residents of these communities to receive their vaccinations.”

These new COVID-19 vaccination sites include 24 federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics and community health centers, 64 local pharmacies and 20 chain pharmacies with many sites in some of Tennessee’s most vulnerable counties. These locations will follow the Tennessee COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, administering vaccinations to residents in current eligible phases of the county in which the clinic or pharmacy is located. All vaccinations are to be given at no charge to the recipient.

These added COVID-19 vaccination sites are distributed across 51 counties covering every grand division of the state. COVID-19 vaccine supplies remain limited, and availability of vaccines varies by county and provider. These providers and facilities are expected to receive COVID-19 vaccines this week, and will handle their own scheduling processes for administering vaccinations.